Ag commissioner: Fla. needs statewide water policy

Published: Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at 10:14 AM.

Putnam spoke Tuesday at a community forum sponsored by a Lakeland law firm.

The Ledger of Lakeland (http://bit.ly/1mFNxNj ) reports that a priority for Putnam's office during the upcoming legislative session is asking Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature for a statewide water policy.

Putnam said water is vital to the state's tourism, agriculture and construction.

He also said that any water policy needs to be flexible to adapt to droughts or heavy rainfall. Putnam also noted that different parts of the state have different water needs. For example South Florida worries about Everglades pollution, central Florida needs water to support development and the Panhandle's oyster industry worries about freshwater cut off at the state border.

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Putnam spoke Tuesday at a community forum sponsored by a Lakeland law firm.

The Ledger of Lakeland (http://bit.ly/1mFNxNj ) reports that a priority for Putnam's office during the upcoming legislative session is asking Gov. Rick Scott and the Legislature for a statewide water policy.

Putnam said water is vital to the state's tourism, agriculture and construction.

He also said that any water policy needs to be flexible to adapt to droughts or heavy rainfall.
Putnam also noted that different parts of the state have different water needs. For example South Florida worries about Everglades pollution, central Florida needs water to support development and the Panhandle's oyster industry worries about freshwater cut off at the state border.